Dumerc Far From Done

Céline Dumerc was given her FIBA Europe Wome's Player of the Year 2012 award by FIBA Europe Secretary General Kamil Novak prior to France's opening game at EuroBasket Women

By Joe Hewison

Celine Dumerc is eyeing a second EuroBasket Women title after being presented with the 2012 FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year award trophy before France's tournament opener in Trelaze.

Dumerc received a rousing reception from her home fans as she received the honour as recognition for her achievements over the past year.

The guard averaged 14.2 points-per-game at the London 2012 Olympic Games - but that only told half the story as she came up with several clutch plays and embodied the spirit of the French team that took the silver medal.

She was unanimously voted as the best player in Europe by fans via online voting, and an expert panel of top-level basketball coaches and media.

Now, after a comfortable 62-39 win over Latvia in their tournament opener, the 30-year-old is targeting a second European title to add to the one she won in 2009.

"It was great," said Dumerc of the moment the fans rose as she accepted the award. "I am grateful to share this with the French people.

"I won this trophy because of my teammates so it is good that I am also able to share it with the national team.

"It is great to play at home. The home crowd are great, they are like our sixth player.

"To win EuroBasket Women is now the target. We want to go as far as we can. We want to play for a gold medal of course but the road is still long."